“To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Origin of the creation of God, says this: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:14–16)
Let’s summarize: God just told the church at Laodicea that He has taken the temperature of their hearts, and they are in grave danger. He’s telling them they make Him nauseous. Their version of Christianity made Him want to puke them out of His mouth. Their moderate, somewhere in the middle, response to the message of the Gospel disgusted Him. And He is warning them in the most serious way possible.
But what goes through your mind when you read those words?
Do you, like many, find yourself wondering; These words were written to His “church” at Laodicea, yet they will be vomited out of His mouth. How could this be so? What does this really mean? Surely He isn’t telling His “church” they are in danger of Hell!
Maybe you say to yourself; These words were written to those Laodiceans two thousand years ago; they don’t apply to us today!
Or maybe this popular thought crosses your mind; These words must have come from the Father – that God of the Old Testament that was full of wrath and fury! They could not have come from my New Testament Jesus, the gentle and tender one, who is always longing for His children to come snuggle up in His lap? My loving New Testament Jesus will certainly keep me from this divine threat.
I would like to address a few of these things…
One, it is clear from the Scriptures, and especially from the words of Jesus, that there is a visible church and an invisible church! The visible church is made up of all who profess to believe in Jesus. It’s made up of the wheat and the tares. (Matthew 13:24-30,36-43) They all profess His name…but many have deceived themselves. (Matthew 7:21-23) The invisible church is made up of only the true believers – the wheat! The fact that this passage is addressed to the “church” at Laodicea, in no way guarantees He is speaking to true believers!
Two, while it is my belief that He is speaking to a church full of false converts (tares), and that by using the word “vomit”, He is clearly speaking of everlasting damnation, I also know there are some theologians who would disagree with that position. Regardless of where one may stand on that topic though, there is one thing I believe we can all agree upon; This verse contains a threat! A divine threat! And due to the graphic imagery He used to illustrate that threat, we can only assume that it is extremely serious!
Three, the context is clear and obvious to any reader; These words came from the mouth of our New Testament Jesus – the soft and cuddly one!
Lastly, does this passage have application to our church today? Could He be speaking to us? To you? Or was this letter, that was sovereignly chosen to be included within the pages of Scripture, to be read by all believers for ages to come, only for those members of the Laodicean church two thousand years ago? I believe Jesus answered this question best in the very last sentence of this exact letter to the Laodiceans; “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Revelation 3:22)
But here is where things begin to get interesting. When I speak to Christians about this passage of Scripture, and the graphic threat it contains, they all tend to agree that it does in fact have application to us today. But they don’t stop there. When I ask the logical follow up question: Do you believe that our church – the one in America – is lukewarm? Do you know what their response is? Likely the same as yours would be: Yes, I do! I have yet to ask any professing Christian that question who has not responded by affirming that the church in America is lukewarm!
Could this really be true? My friend, if I am understanding these words in Revelation correctly, then I find this to be an astounding, and terrifying, indictment! The implications of such an accusation should surely drive us to a deep and sobering reflection; We are talking about the ones sitting next to us in church; our friends – our family!
But now I’d like to make a bold assumption; If all these same Christians – the ones who accuse our current church in America of being lukewarm – were gathered in one church building on Sunday morning, and the preacher had the audacity to ask the question; “Do you believe you are lukewarm?” I’ve come to the conclusion there would be very few who would say to themselves; Yes, I am lukewarm!
Do you see the peculiar disconnect? If the assumption I am making is true, then something must be wrong. If the vast majority of professing Christians in America believe the church is lukewarm, yet most of those same believers do not believe themselves to be lukewarm, there is a problem. Either they have made an incorrect assessment of the church, or they have made an incorrect assessment of themselves! I pray, for their sake, it is not the latter.
You may ask, “Mike, why do you assume they don’t believe they are lukewarm?” That is a fair question, and I will give you my answer.
I’ve come to this conclusion for a very simple reason; I see no great concern in them. When I bring up this passage, and that word, lukewarm, and the state of our church, I see no signs of great distress. There is no fear or trembling. I look in their eyes. I see no tears. There is no anxiety and worry on the countenance of their face. I listen to their words. I hear the tone of their voice. Their response is casual and peaceful; With a bit of disappointment on their face, and a slight raising of the eyebrow, they give a nod of affirmation that the church in America is indeed lukewarm – and then it’s on to the next topic of conversation.
Based on their response, I see only two options: They are either a fool who does not take seriously the threat being made by these graphic words of Jesus, or they do not believe they are in danger; they do not believe they are lukewarm. Based on the two options available, I choose to extend the same grace I would hope to receive and refuse to label them a fool. I choose to believe they have examined themselves and passed the test. Praise God!… if they have examined well!
What do you think about this passage? What do you think about the state of the church in America? What were the results of your own examination? Leave me a comment to let me know.
66 Responses
Thank you Mike for your article.
This is more of a question from this following perspective. I was just listening to the BEMA podcast (season 4, episode 181: Revelation – Lukewarm Laodicea) and they do a great job of teaching the text to context. In this passage, they mentioned there were two rivers, one a hot springs, mineral laden river that healed. Another, a cold spring, fresh water that hydrated the townspeople, who had a quite a lot of difficulty getting fresh water in their geographical location. When the water mixed on the way into the town, it would become lukewarm and people would have to spit it out because it was not healthy. They summed this passage up as, whether you are hot or cold, be useful in your purpose or work so that your potential is not wasted.
I see that less as a threat and more as a guidance on knowing our gifts and purpose (what we were created to provide in serving others) and refining it to keep it pure as we serve.
I believe the reason we have so many “lukewarm Christians” is because a threat is much less inspiring and directive on how to teach, guide and correct. When we see God’s heart in this; serve in the way I created you to serve, it is much more directive and a starting point to getting out of the lukewarm position where you take two healthy streams and make one useless stream.
I would love to know your thoughts on this. Do you think our teachings could be part of the problem when we label these as “threats” (from the article: I believe we can all agree upon: This verse contains a threat! A divine threat!)?
Thank you for your time and for your thoughts.
Marie…Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I genuinely appreciate all feedback…even if it challenges my viewpoints and interpretation. Regarding the BEMA view… I have no issue with the teaching of the two springs – one hot and one cold – teaching. I have heard that background context taught many times and I believe it could very well be true. My concern would lie in their conclusion…whether you are hot or cold, be useful in your purpose or work so that your potential is not wasted. I do realize you likely weren’t quoting them and were giving a paraphrase, neverthless, I don’t believe that conclusion is being faithful to the text and context of the verse( which I have put below for reference as you read through this) . I would strongly disagree with their viewpoint for the following reasons…
1- I don’t see anything in the text regarding usefulness, purpose, knowing our giftings/callings, etc… Neither do I see anything personally that would lead me to those places from the “two springs” teaching. The context of the verse seems to all be referring to the conditions of their heart and salvation. I think we see this even more clearly in verses 17-20. We see Jesus telling them they are “wretched”, “poor” , “pitiable”, “blind and naked” ….We see Him telling these people that although they think they can see, they need eye salve to heal their vision so they can actually see. Furthermore, we see Him talking about covering their “shame” and “nakedness” with “white garments”. All of this language points to matters of the heart and salvation…..not giftings, callings, purposes, usefulness, etc… I believe a “cursory” reading of the text leans heavily towards the viewpoint I have taken. To get to the other viewpoint, requires quite a bit of work in my opinion.
2- I believe most of the saints throughout church history have adopted a viewpoint that aligns with mine rather than BEMA’s teaching, as I am understanding it from your words.
3- I believe that as we survey the entire landscape of the Bible, we see a God who not only pulls us toward Himself with Love , Gentleness, Kindness, Tenderness, and Patience….BUT also a God who pushes us from behind by letting us know the consequences of disobedience and hardened/lukewarm hearts. In the case of Laodicea… At this point I would have to believe that the Laodicean church was one that was a false church – full of self deceived professing Christians who had not actually been born again.
4- Lastly, regarding the word “threats”. I believe if we are being honest with ourselves, the entire message of the Bible contains a divine threat. That is the message of the Gospel… All of humanity is headed to hell unless they repent and believe in Jesus. No one made more of these threats than Jesus Himself. However, I do also believe that we need to be careful about the image that comes to our mind when we hear that word “threat”. There was a generation of preachers years ago that were labeled “hell, fire and brimstone preachers”. The image for most that comes to mind is that of preacher who is angry and red-faced, pounding on the pulpit, yelling at the congregation, etc… That is definitely not what I am advocating for. As I said, no one preached Hell , fire ,and Brimstone more than Jesus Himself. However, I would argue that most of those times He was preaching these difficult words ( issuing threats), He likely did it with tears running down His face, pleading with men for their souls, because He loved them so much and did not want them to go to that horrible place.
Hope this response has been useful and edifying!…see you in next months issue, Mike
Revelation 3:14–22 (ESV)
To the Church in Laodicea
14 “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.
15 “ ‘I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see. 19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. 21 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’ ”
I know I can be lukewarm in my actions to be involved in church and further God’s kingdom but I know in my heart my faith is not lukewarm. I try daily to renew my fire-some days i am successful and other days I am back to lukewarm. Praise God for a new beginning every day.
Hey Michelle, Thank you for taking the time to read and also to give such honest feedback. Your comment is interesting to me. My concern with your words is that the clear teaching of Scripture is that the actions reflect the heart…. for ex., if the actions and response is lukewarm then the heart is lukewarm. Similar to Jesus’ teaching that a fig tree produces figs. A grape tree produces grapes. We must always remember that the type of fruit, and the quality of the fruit, are both indications as to how healthy the fruit tree is. So, when I read your comments that your actions to be involved in church and further God’s Kingdom are lukewarm, but yet you believe your heart is not lukewarm, it raises a red flag for me. With all of that being said, please know that I am only responding to your comment in this way because I care about you, and I certainly know that I am not the Judge of mens hearts – thank goodness. I can only tell you what the Judge said. I also know that sanctification is a process and we won’t be perfect until the next life. Nevertheless, I pray that you will give great thought to the words in your comment. Keep pursuing sister. See you in next months issue! Mike
Mike, I look forward to your articles. This one especially resonates with the times we are living in and the current state of most people. Mediocrity is the theme nowadays. The bar is set so low, thank you acknowledging this. We have found a church, The Well, in Argyle where I have felt the Holy Spirit again.
Hey Lauren, Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment. You are correct…the bar is so low!! The problem is that we measure our version of Christianity against the
other “Christians” in this generation. Which means that most are comparing the sick with the sick, and then declaring themselves to be healthy, because their version looks the same as everyone else’s. Love that you found a church to call home. Keep pursuing sister! See ya in next months issue! Mike
One problem I think we have as Christian is that we sometimes are only hearers of the word and not doers of the word.
Greetings, Mike:
Thank you for your article, A Lukewarm Dilemma, published in the August 2024 issue of Living Magazine. I appreciate your divergent thoughts. They are worthy of contemplation. I read from Oswald Chambers a good deal. He, too, was a divergent thinker. As I read your article, I kept wondering what might move a “Christian” from lukewarm to hot? Perhaps Chambers has a thought for consideration. He says, “Are you more devoted io your idea of what Jesus wants than to Jesus Himself?”
At some point in the future it would be good to read your take on Mark 10:14. Blessings on you and may the editor of Living be blessed for publishing your writings.
Jay… thank you for reading and taking the time to comment as well!!… Love that thought from Chambers also!! Keep pressing forward brother! See ya in next months issue, Mike
I am a lukewarm Christian. I didn’t even hesitate in my answer. I have a lot of work to do! Society is lukewarm and in many cases cold. We need God more than ever in these tumultuous times. Thanks for making me think about my own salvation.
Robin… Thank you so much for reading and commenting….but more importantly, for such an honest response. I pray that He would continue to draw you closer and closer to Himself, and that you would have no other higher priority in your life right now than a deep and thorough self-examination of your heart compared to the Word of God. There is truly nothing more important in life. May He grant you much clarity and spiritual sobriety as you go through that process! See ya in next months issue, Mike
Thank you Mr Mike. I very much liked this article & have been praying for the church in America plus praying for our church. Asking God for reawakening for His people & leaders. I’m so hungry for Godly, bold,strong truth sayers & lie-slayers from the pulpits. God give us courage & wake us up!!
“Truth sayers and lie-slayers”…. I love those words Diane!! Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I couldn’t be in more agreement with you. Keep pressing forward sister. See ya in next months issue, Mike
I don’t believe you can apply church singular on this issue. Many churches are lukewarm and I avoid those. There are good churches.
Hey Dale, thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I certainly agree that their are good local churches. I was making more of a broad generalization of the church in America… meaning all those who claim the name of Christ. I was definitely not referring to any one specific local church…but the broader picture. I will certainly evaluate my wording to see if I could have been more clear. Thank you so much. See ya in next months issue! Mike
Mike, this article is preaching to the choir in my case. I sat in pews of those lukewarm churches for many years, feeling dissatisfied and unfulfilled, but not really understanding why. I was sheltered with my rituals and structured worship. Nobody was fired up, and not many lives were being changed. Lukewarm worship, tolerance, and compromise is why membership in many mainline denominations has fallen and continues to go down.
Eight years ago, my wife and I decided to attend a pretty new non-denominational church with our daughter and her family. For the first time in years we witnessed bold and boisterous worship. This church was ALIVE like no other I ever attended and the love for God was like an electric current filling the room. Learning to worship boldly changed our lives.
Back then, our services were in the gym of a local elementary school. A year or so later we bought a building in Caddo Mills where we currently hold four services each Sunday. We are in the process of adding a new worship center that will triple our capacity. Much of our amazing growth has been young people. Young people do want to worship God, but they want nothing to do with LUKEWARM WORSHIP THAT COMPROMISES GOD’S LAW AND CONDONES DEVIATE LIFESTYLES. THEY WANT TRUTH AND GUIDANCE!
What a great testimony Jim. I love that yall have found such a wonderful church…they certainly seem to be more and more rare. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. See ya in next months issue brother, Mike
This is awesome Jim. Please continue in fervent prayer as many churches get so attracted to growth that this is where seeds of compromise find their way in. Let us always remain so committed to Christ and His teachings that we stop at nothing. Even if there are just 12 disciples left, we continue to speak the truth in love & boldness: that we must REPENT, we must go to WAR on our sins and follow Christ! There is no news in all the world better than the Good News!
I was sitting on my couch reading the news on my usual sites when my wife hands me a magazine and says, “you should read this article.”
I usually am a slow reader, but the words were flying by when I read this. I have been thinking and saying these same ideas for years. I looked at my wife and said, “I could have written this. ” She nodded and said, “Yeah, I know. ”
Thank you for confirming exactly what is going on America. I hope more people wake up, but as we know, the path to heaven is narrow. I pray that Christians in America will grow in their courage and faith. and realize the danger they are in.
T.O … Thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment. Love that I was able to confirm how what’s been on your heart. Keep pursuing brother! See ya in next months issue, Mike
There are many of my own generation (millennial) and younger who have struggled so much to find a church that is anything more than lip-service that we’ve just given up. You can feel when you walk into a church and it’s completely dead. You can see where the church’s money has gone. You can hear where the churchgoers priorities lie. Most of the steadfast Christians I know do not attend church. The brick and mortar is deeply flawed.
But that is not to say the Church has fallen. The Church is a people, not a place or a building or a set schedule of activities. Church is fellowship with other followers of Christ, worshipping together, challenging each other, and holding each other accountable.
I don’t think the brick and mortar will fail entirely, but there must be a large format shift of priorities before the church sees a resurgence. And those priorities shouldn’t be smoke machines and light shows.
Denise,
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and give feedback. Solid churches are hard to find these days…they have fallen victim to the law of supply and demand…as Paul said would happen to Timothy. Loved your words… “smoke machines and light shows”….SO TRUE!!!! See you in next months issue, Mike
So true, Denise! I didn’t even notice I was a dead Christian until I moved abroad and attended church. Boy did I see then! In returning home to USA, I am so saddened at how many churches have put aesthetic, and instagram, and numbers ahead of Jesus in HIS HOUSE. Lord have mercy on us all!
Thank you so much for an accurate description of the church in general . The church is for the most part not preaching the gospel in its entirety . I have walked into a lot of church’s recently and you would never guess it was a church more like an entertainment center black walls colored lights etc. The preaching is no longer you need to get saved don’t leave church unless you do because non of us know how long we will be here. Yes heaven is real , Jesus is real , Jesus is love no problem preaching that . However no mention that hell is real , it’s for eternity and if you don’t repent of your sins accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour that’s where you will spend eternity . There is no more fear of the Lord there is such a casualness about the Lord like He’s your buddy . We serve holy God who can’t look upon sin of any kind . The church in general is failing fast .
Brenda… thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. “casualness”….I use that word often. Casual Christianity is what it has become. Lets keep praying and pressing forward. See you in next months issue! Mike
Agree! My experience as well. I drafted an email and have been praying on whether to press send or not. Is it some trend to start a church with the dark lights and flashing colors as if this is a nightclub? The gospel alone does its job!!! We do not need to try to appeal to anyone in any particular way. PREACH THE TEXT & that is HEAVEN and HELL. That is grace and wrath!
Nice job Mike! There is more unquestionably evidence of the state of those “believers “gatherer in that one room church. There hearts are not centered there.
Multiple surveys reveal that at most only 25% donate to God’s work there and of course even fewer give 10% or more.
The American church is full of wantabe Christians whose treasure is documented to be somewhere else.
Steve, thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. “whose treasure is documented to be somewhere else.” …LOVE IT! See you in next months issue!!
Mike, as soon as I began Reading, I said to Holy Spirit, “Lord, I don’t WANT to be in that company…” I cannot say that I’m not. But my prayer is that the Lord will set my heart on fire afresh.
Tammy,
Thank you so much for reading and for such an honest and vulnerable response. I know He convicts us and leads us in different ways but as your brother in Christ I do want to encourage you to dig into that statement … “I cannot say that I’m not”. Spend some time in the Word searching the Scriptures for what the “heart” of a New Testament believer that is ablaze for Christ looks like. It is my personal opinion that we should spend quite a bit more time comparing our hearts to the hearts of the believers of the church in Acts…the one He birthed. Look at the descriptions in Acts 2 and Acts 4 of that church. Their hearts were ablaze for God and for their brothers and sisters in Christ. If you find in your time in the Word that you are not Hot for Him…. I would encourage you to spend some time truly wrestling with the implications of such an assessment. I will see ya in next months issue! Keep pushing forward! Your brother in Christ, Mike
Thanks for your insightful article. For me, Trumpism – and everything he stands for – is what has become the litmus test for Christianity today. To me, one is either a false Trumped- up Christian or a True Christian. You cannot be both because they are diametrically opposed to each other. It’s laughable to me how anyone can reconcile Trump’s lifelong rampant greed, blatant dishonesty and serial corruption with the teachings of Jesus. If Trump were a true Christian, would’ve you have thought he would have made some changes by now at age 78? He even stole from his own non-profit foundation! So if he’s a false Christian, what does that say about his Christian followers? It’s this hypocrisy that to me has made the Church lukewarm.
But there’s this too: in my 63 years of being a Christian, I have met so many Christians, who have said after deliberately hurting someone or causing harm, “Oh well, at least I’m going to heaven since I’m already saved!” I don’t believe that being “saved” should ever be treated as a get-out-of-jail-free card for anybody. There should be accountability followed by repentance and a chance to repair. This is how you show Jesus you’re grateful for His mercy. Perhaps if this was emphasized more in church teachings, Christians would have recognized the real Trump long ago. Tromp l’oeil means “fool the eye” in art. Trump l’oeil to me means “fool the Christian followers.”
Hey Lisa, thank you very much for reading and taking the time to comment!!
Wow, you are exactly why I stopped going to certain churches.
It’s the old, “I’m taking the high road approach, but will let the country burn to the ground. ”
I thank God our founding fathers understood this trap and decided to fight for a better life and build a Christian nation.
Maybe you should look at some of the characters that God uses in the old testament before going on your diatribe.
Brother, never let a person stop you from going to church. Church is where we go to worship Our Lord and Savior! There are 25k churches in Texas. “Let us not forsake the assembly of meeting together.” The Good News is that even if a true Christian walks into a lukewarm church the anointing on that single remnant can set it ablaze if that true Christian is living obediently to Christ!
God bless you Brother!
Brother, thank you for your article, and another verse which many of our dear fellow brethren fail to recall is in Hebrews “For our God is also a consuming fire”. (12:29 RcV) God is not only loving, but He is also righteous.
I encourage you and everyone else to obtain and read “The Orthodoxy of the Church” by W. Nee, published by the Living Stream Ministry. It is very enlightening.
Grace be with you.
Hey Jade…. thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment…and for that powerful reminder in Hebrews!!!
You wrote “I choose to believe they have examined themselves and passed the test. Praise God!… if they have examined well!” That is the lens of Christ that we are all called to view one another through, and my prayer is for all of us to continue to not be worried, to have the peace of the everlasting arms, because the worship of the King of Kings is everything. Fear of Hell is less likely to usher in God’s kingdom than knowing Christ’s love. Being vomited out of God’s mouth is strong imagery that reminds us that the sword of God also comes out of the mouth, so maybe we have to be lukewarm first before God will vomit us out to realize that we need to become a temperature that God wants is to be.
Hey Trish…thank you so much for taking the time to read and give feedback! The Word certainly seems to draw us and compel us with His love while also pushing us from behind with the reality of what can only be interpreted as divine threats. What a mystery it is!
You are spot on Mr. Mazyck! The attitude of a lot of churches is that everything is rainbows and roses. If they can make everyone feel good and tell them that God wants them to be wealthy, happy and enjoy their life, no matter what they are doing behind closed doors, then all is well with that church. ABSOLUTELY NOT! We need to have a fire lit under us so that we’re not afraid to speak about what is right and what is wrong! Our churches are failing us and WE are going to answer for this. I am guilty at times of this very thing and I ask forgiveness dear Jesus. Thank you for your article Mr. Mazyck!
Mike,
I was ecstatic to see an article on the Fort Bend Living magazine about God!! We are new to the Sugar Land area.
It does bring tears to my eyes that we live in a lukewarm world. I am distressed over the state of our nation. But your article and this discussion gives me hope. I’m very involved in my church. The women I spend my time with are extremely faithful and prayerful. We are in the Word every day. We can make a difference in the world. One person at a time. One conversation at a time. We have to go make disciples of all nations.
We all have days where we are lukewarm. But surrounding ourselves with others who remind us daily who to turn to, who to trust in and whose we are will help us to stay on fire everyday for our Lord.
I work for a woke company. Sadly, many of them are. Especially, the large corporations. Do you know that we have a manager who started a Christian group and now I lead a Bible study at work? We have faith Fridays and share our stories and have been able to find the silent believers who truly are sadden by the state of our nation. There is hope. But it’s up to us. We have to share our stories. Lead with love and not be afraid to stand up for our beliefs. Imagine what a difference we can make in the world!!
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Beth
Elisabeth,
Just want to say thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. Hope you and your family are getting settled in and loving the Sugar Land area. Your comment is truly encouraging. I know there is always a remnant that is seeking after Him and not conforming to this world. Keep pushing forward and growing in love and remaining faithful to the assignments He has given you….like that bible study!!! Hope you will continue to read my future articles each month in Living! Thank you for your encouragement today. Mike
Thanks Beth for your words and example at your job. I am reminded I need to be a light in this dark world, not just focus on cursing the darkness.
Thank you for this Sister Beth! I hope to find a few fiery sisters in Dallas. Grace to you all for keeping those oil lamps ready.
Yes, Mike- I agree, that we the church are lukewarm! I can certainly speak for myself- the problem is that I am not in the Word every day- like I truly need to be! Thank you for this thought provoking and heart checking article! We do not seem to have a healthy fear of our Lord! We have made him in our image!
Hey Debbie, thank you so much for reading and taking the time to comment. Your words…”made Him in our image” remind me of Psalm 50:21…
“These things you have done, and I have been silent;
you thought that I was one like yourself.
But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.”
We Christians got it all wrong. We’re more in to line with the Old Testament understanding of who God is and what His attributes are. Jesus Christ the second in the Holy Trinity came down and because a human so we can become like God . He came incarnated in to our being to make us innocent from our corrupted nature from the fallen Adam’s image. He knows all our weaknesses, our nature ,our disbelief, backsliding and our denial of who God really is. He is Love. He is not retributive like the tribal god of Jewish nation, who was full of darkness, punishing people for their actions. But Jesus came to change this misconception, and showed His Father’s Love , restorative love kindness, and grace upon all human beings, not a few , but all His children, the whole humanity.He didn’t come for the 99 righteous ones , but to go find the one unrighteous and lost one . So we need a come back to know who God really is and to seek, ask and knock at his mercy’s door for restitution. Book of Revelation is things that already happened and not something that is going to happen. Where’s this Church of Laodicea today? This happened before destruction of Jerusalem temple in AD 70.So let’s not scare people telling about an angry revengeful god , but teach them about loving gracious God. Love God , love your neighbor ,everything is included in His two commandments.❤️🙏🙏🙏.
Ann… First of all, thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I truly appreciate all honest and well-intentioned feedback and comments. I would like to respond as I do believe you wrote of some things that must be addressed…
You spoke of His “attributes”. One of those “attributes” is that He is unchanging….meaning He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The “tribal god of Jewish nation” you mentioned was in fact, The Father. I hope that I have misunderstood your words, but to say that the God of the Old Testament was “full of darkness” is blasphemy! This God of the Old Testament was the first Person of the God-head and He was a jealous God who was continually pursuing a rebellious people…who were in fact, full of darkness.(See Romans 3). This God of the Old Testament was absolutely overflowing with all of the Grace and Love that flows out of Jesus. As Jesus said… “if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father”.(See also Hebrews 1:1 and John 1:18) And as all of that divine judgment and retribution (or possibly discipline from a loving Father) was being handed out to the Jewish nation, the second Person of the trinity – Jesus – was right there with the Father and He was in full agreement and accord with every decision that was made.
If you read the words of Jesus, it becomes plainly evident that no-one preached a more difficult message and spoke of hell more than He did. I have included just a few of those passages below. The message to the Church at Laodicea is literally New Testament Jesus speaking to a New Testament church…making a very graphic threat. Although I do not think it matters in the least whether this threat was made before/after the destruction of the temple in AD70….I will say that the overwhelming majority of scholars agree that John received his vision on Patmos approximately 20-30 years after the destruction of the temple in AD70. It is the minority of scholars who believe it was around the time of Nero in 68-69AD. But honestly, it does not matter in the least. Revelation 3 is Jesus speaking to a New Testament Church.
Ann… I say this with all of the LOVE of a brother. Your idea and conception of God does not seem to line up with the Scriptures. And I do believe it has ventured into the territory of idolatry. The Jesus you are worshipping is not the Jesus of the Bible. God rebukes His people in Psalm 50 by saying that we made Him in our image…
“These things you have done, and I have been silent;
you thought that I was one like yourself.
But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.”
Psalm 50:21
Ann, I hope you will prayerfully consider my words and the Scriptures above and below(all of the ones below came from the mouth of Jesus)…
1. Matthew 5:22 (ESV)
“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”
2. Matthew 7:13-14 (ESV)
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
3. Matthew 10:28 (ESV)
“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
4. Matthew 13:41-42 (ESV)
“The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
5. Matthew 18:8-9 (ESV)
“And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire.”
6. Matthew 25:41-46 (ESV)
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
7. Mark 9:43-48 (ESV)
“And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”
8. Luke 16:19-31 (ESV)
“The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.’”
9. John 15:6 (ESV)
“If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.”
10. Matthew 12:36-37 (ESV)
“I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
Mike addressed your comment very well below and I have to agree with Him. I’m so disheartened that at this stage we still don’t know our Bibles. The God of the OT was not full of darkness. Read it and read it again until you see the mercy He showed an enemy, Pharoah who held His people in brutal cruel slavery for hundreds of years! He didn’t have to be kind to Pharoah even once but He was REPEATEDLY. You wouldn’t have been kind to Pharoah even once yourself!
Oh Sister. Please. I beg you to please please read it again and get under a good shepherd. If you have EVER seen darkness in Our Father you’ve never seen Him or known Him at all.
Run quickly! Time is running out. He is radiant and beautiful, and patient, and we all deserve hell every day but He holds back His hand! That isn’t darkness in the least. Darkness is what He is giving us an opportunity to be saved from!!!!
Learn YOUR FATHER! Quickly!
Mike, in sharing my faith with family, friends and strangers, I frequently quote Revelation and the church at Laodicea.
Today “lukewarm” is rampant and in all honesty “cold” might be a better term.
So many are misguided into believing they are in control.
As I share with my children and grandchildren, the Creator of all things should be approached with fear and trembling as He created us and He is everything.
He loves us and wants only His best for us
As I pray for the whole state of Christ’s church, I pray that eyes, ears, and hearts be open to His truth and that “lukewarm” becomes “hot.”
Kaye, that is a prayer I can come into agreement with!! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment!
Thank you Mike for your article and advice. I am in the process of recommitting my life. It is at times painful, as I bare my soul to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. But, for me it is essential that there is a humble, authentic fear of our Father,God. His tough love in Revelations speaks not to just the ancient Church, but today to each of us. With Christ’s guidance wipe my apathy away, replace with a passion to obey God, and manifest it through the Holy Spirit. I ask for prayers from everyone. Much work ahead for me.
Sharon, Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment. I am encouraged by your words and just want to encourage you in return to continue the difficult process of self examination. The reward is worth the work!! Mike
I love this thought-provoking piece, brother. This really does strike at the heart of the matter. My experience is similar to yours. Everyone in the church in America seems to agree that the church there is lukewarm, but so few see themselves as lukewarm. I pray that God will open more eyes to see and ears to hear and that revival would come.
Thank you for the read and the comment brother!!
Mike, your words always strike deep, you get to the very heart of things. Causes one to examine their own heart. I feel blessed to be a part of a church that is 100% Bible preaching, teaching and reaching others. I do think the “church” in general suffers from this. The headlines certainly prove that. Thank you, Mike.
you are certainly a blessed woman Elizabeth!!! Keep pushing forward and thank you so much for taking the time to read and give me feedback. That means more than you know! Mike
I’m glad I read this article. It’s very convicting as I see the logic of your “bold assumption”.
As our country/world continues to turn from a biblical worldview, more will be at stake for Christians and we will have a wake up call. May the Holy Spirit help us to stand strong in the Lord.
Kristen, thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment!! Keep pursuing Him! Mike
John McCarthur YouTube video titled Saved or Self deceived covers this topic well.
I liked JDs reply and feel the same.
can’t go wrong with MacArthur!!
Between the outright Apostate church, the entertainment feel good church, the churches that abound with false teachers, the cults that call themselves Christians, it is far easier to find a false church than a true Christian church. The Scriptures predicted this. Sometimes we have given up and settled for a church that is only tolerable, and have let ourselves become Lukewarm. It is so easy to slide into lukewarm, because all most everything around us is lukewarm or worse. The Holy Spirit and the Scriptures constantly bring us back from the lukewarm. Thank you for your insight Mike, the Lord is definitely speaking to you about these things. God Bless.
Thank you for your comment Lee… the church is in a very bad situation right now. I fear that the only way out will be through the severe persecution that is coming much quicker than we realize. It will truly be horrible….and beautiful at the same time. Persecution will separate the wheat from the tares and purify the church…as it always has! Thank God that even now there is always a remnant.
Great piece Mike; as my wife and I were discussing about “church” in general, I find it a little disturbing that there appears to be little or no reverent fear of the Lord anymore. At times there appears to be this presumption that as believers we belong to the healthy, wealthy, holy, happy club. Just my thoughts. Best to you and the family.
You are spot on James!!… “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”… Romans 3:18….that is the current situation in the american church.
Another good one Mike! Thank the Lord for your obedience to challenge us (and yourself) with this truth.
YES, much of the American church is lukewarm! The signs of our sin, and apathy is rampant, saddening, and to your point about Jesus vomiting us out, it would appear also, sickening. Sickening to him, and it should be sickening to us.
YES, I have been lukewarm (as we discussed in an email conversation recently). Sadly I confess that the “sin that so easily entangles us” (Hebrews 12:1) has evolved in my life in such a way that much of that (sin) no longer shocks or grieves me. Thanks be to our Lord and Savior for calling me out through that same passage in Revelation recently.
A saying I have often heard in my business endeavors goes something like this…”Ok, so what? Now what?” In other words, what are we (I) going to do differently?
If we are lukewarm, Jesus is sickened by our apathy and indifference, and we are teetering on the verge of being told, “depart from me I never knew you,” (Matt 7:23), we must come back and find our “first love” (Rev. 2:4). We must “turn from our idols,” and “…search again for the LORD (y)our God. And if we (you) search for Him with all (y)our heart and soul, we (you) will find Him.” (Duet. 4:26-29). We must speak the truth in love and have no fear what man will to do us (Ephesians 4:15). Like an athlete who trains or a weightlifter who “tears down” their muscles only to make them stronger, we must get comfortable with being uncomfortable, training ourselves how we should behave and what we should do (1 Corinthians 9:27). And we must repent (!!) calling out and confessing out sin, turning from it to a righteous path (2 Corinthians 5:21). As Jesus said (in Luke 13:3), “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”
Lord I pray for your forgiveness for my / our lukewarmness and apathy. People are dying and going to hell, while we (many of us) are sitting on the sidelines watching. Help us Lord to be “hot” and have the same love and passion for others as you have for us! Help us to look past ourselves, our pride, our fears, our sins, and be obedient to your commands. “For the harvest is great but the workers are few” (Luke 10:2).
what a great word JD…. you are right!! It seems that God is doing a work in your heart brother. I am grateful to be even a small part of that through my writing. Thank you for taking the time to comment with such a good word!